Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting from Immortal Martial Arts

The main hall and courtyard of Ningguo Mansion have been surrounded by Tiger Guards and their personal soldiers.

Inside the main hall, all the members of the founding line took their seats in order. Jia Tang, despite his high rank and military command, was a junior and could only sit at the end in front of his beloved elders.

Niu Jizong, who was seated at the head of the table, took a sip of tea and said with a smile, "You've all come today."

Liu Fang, who was standing nearby, sighed, "Yes, it's been a long time since we've had a get-together like this."

"All together? Where is it all together? Can't you see how many empty seats there are? Back when our lineage gathered, there were so many first and second-tier cultivators with military power that this main hall couldn't even hold them all. Now there are only so few people left, and some of them are even idle at home." Hou Xiaokang snorted and retorted.

Jia She remained expressionless, while the Shi brothers blushed and gave an awkward smile without saying a word.

In the past, when Lao Niu and his friends got together, they never invited the two brothers. Now that someone in the Jia family has finally risen to prominence, they are bound to swallow their pride and get on board, given that Jia Mu is still alive.

As for Jia Zhen? He's a good-for-nothing who's never been invited to any of the founding fathers' important gatherings.

"Yu Yin".

Niu Jizong called out to Jia Tang and said, "Your gains in this battle are equivalent to most of my life's work. You are truly a formidable young man."

"That's right, not only is his rank high, but his martial arts progress is also so fast." Xie Jing interjected from the side, while the others smiled helplessly.

"Alright, alright, this is the first great victory since the current emperor ascended the throne. The title was already bestowed by the former emperor, so it's not too much for His Majesty to grant a second favor," Liu Fang said, waving her hand.

"The main reason we've all gathered here is for one thing: handover."

Niu Jizong sighed and continued, "In the past, the first and second generations of our founding line were all led by your Jia family. If it weren't for that great change, the leaders would be Enhou and Brother Jing now. Now, the third generation is decided and controlled by me, Lao Liu, and Lao Hou."

"Now that you have achieved military merit and been granted the title of Earl, you have been appointed as a guerrilla commander, in charge of six thousand troops. I will also be appointed as a high-ranking official in the Ministry of War. Next, I will transfer the sons of various families from the Nine Border Regions to serve under you for a year before they are sent out to other places. From then on, four generations of each family will respect you. When you advance to the second rank, we, the third generation, will also obey your command. But I don't understand why you are being sent to Jiangnan?"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked puzzled. Although the founding line had people all over the country, their base was still in the north.

Looking at the assembled group of fierce warriors and martial artists, Jia Tang slowly said, "The salt tax deficit is enormous; the Fragrance Sect has breached the Salt Administration Office!"

Everyone's expressions changed upon hearing this, but Jia She suddenly stood up and asked anxiously, "How is your aunt now?"

"He's alright. Only my uncle was a little frightened by the assassination attempt, but he's fine."

These words ignited the fury of everyone in the hall.

"I said before that it wouldn't work for our Wu Xun's eldest daughter to marry a civil official. Her youngest son died of illness, and now he's been assassinated. She's really a small girl with a lot of trouble."

"The Lin family, with four generations of marquises, can't even protect themselves now?"

"This is a slap in the face to the Jia family, and also a slap in the face to our entire lineage."

Hearing the differing opinions of the crowd, Jia Tang sighed inwardly. The Lin family had been marquises for four generations, which belonged to the system of meritorious officials, but Lin Ruhai had studied literature and classics and was selected as the third-ranked scholar.

To be honest, this was already a very successful transition, but unfortunately he was chosen as the son-in-law of the second-generation Duke of Rong, which led to dislike from scholars and annoyance from military men.

Coupled with the previous decline of the Jia family, his situation became even more difficult.

At this point, Niu Jizong continued, "What did they say?"

Jia Tang narrowed his eyes and smiled, "I don't care about the process, I just want the tax money."

Everyone sat up straight. No need for a prelude? Is this going to escalate?

It's important to understand that the biggest problem with salt tax isn't economic, but rather factionalism.

The Lianghuai region is dominated by civil officials; which chamber of commerce doesn't have someone backing it up?

Interestingly, during the Qing Dynasty, the salt merchants were most prominent in the Jianghuai region, and among them, the Eight Great Families of Yangzhou were the pinnacle.

This huge plate contained absolutely no trace of any of the Wu Xun lineage's influence.

That's fine, it's easier to make a move now, and it's easier to tear open a hole.

After a moment's thought, Liu Fang said, "This tactic isn't bad; it's a soft approach. Here's what we'll do: after you head south after the New Year, have Lao Niu transfer Xie Jing to the Jiangnan camp to assist you. Lao Hou and I will stamp the military government's official document later."

"I'm going too. I want to be in the limelight too," Jiang Zining said, dissatisfied.

Niu Jizong thought for a moment and said, "After the New Year, I will have the Ministry of War of Yingtian Prefecture submit a memorial to the emperor, requesting that you two be transferred south to investigate on the grounds that military equipment has been stolen. This will help Yu Yin take the blame. You two are both notorious for being stubborn, so it won't make a difference."

After saying that, he reached out and pressed down on Ma Shang and the others who were getting up: "There's no need for everyone to leave. It wouldn't be right to face the higher-ups if there were any more. By the way, Yu Yin, when are you leaving?"

Jia Tang thought for a moment and replied, "Let's wait until after the fifteenth. There's no rush to send my two uncles south. Marquis Zhao has been transferred to the Jiangnan Grand Camp. Besides, I can handle it myself."

Liu Fang retorted, "That old Zhao Mingshan only has a past relationship with your Jia family. There's still a gap between us and the more than 100 years of mutual support. We can't expect outsiders to help our relatives watch the show."

"Also, although I don't know what gives you your confidence, don't be too complacent. There are quite a few second-tier cultivators in the shadows, and now that you've emerged, your situation is even more perilous."

Ma Shang sighed, "It's a pity that our founding lineage was cut off earlier. We also lost many elders and brothers during our three years of patrolling the world. It's so frustrating. Why didn't we die in the secret realm back then? That damned Chen..."

Before he could finish cursing, Qiu Liang covered his mouth, forcing him to swallow the rest of his sentence.

"Since the Fragrance Sect dares to show itself, it means that it has accumulated a lot of power. Moreover, it has repeatedly attempted to assassinate people surnamed Lin, only intimidating them without harming them. The court has not yet made a move, so it must have some ulterior motives. When it breaks the deadlock, it will directly slaughter them all."

Hou Xiaokang pondered for a moment, then replied, "You've just gained momentum, so you must handle this situation well to enhance the prestige of your Jia family and my founding lineage. Don't let the Chongwu lineage laugh at us."

Looking at the encouraging and caring eyes of everyone around him, Jia Tang smiled and replied, "Then let's do it that way. Thank you all in advance, uncles."

I was deeply moved. The old members of the Jia family, who were basically just minor characters in the original story, now had a formidable power when they came together.

In the original novel, the founding lineage lost its backbone, each looking after their own family, while the Jia family remained secluded, indulging in debauchery and extravagance.

More importantly, the Ning and Rong mansions had no one in power outside, and there were traitors within their own families sucking their blood and sending them out, gradually exhausting their affection for each other.

Due to a combination of factors, including the Jia family's own self-destructive actions, the family was destroyed and its members perished.

But now, everything is different.

Xie Jing glanced at Jia She, whose face was grim, and asked, "Isn't the fifteenth a bit late?"

"Yesterday I had someone invite an old scholar from the Imperial Medical Academy and dispatch two squads of soldiers to escort him, and he marched south under my banner."

Upon hearing this, Jia She breathed a sigh of relief; now he was at ease.

"That's settled then."

Seeing that the matter was settled, Qiu Liang grinned mischievously and teased, "Tiger boy, you'll be twenty-two after the New Year, and you've been granted the title of Earl. It's time to find a wife, isn't it? Shall we have all the legitimate daughters from our respective households come out and meet you tomorrow?"

Jia Tang sighed helplessly and complained, "Uncle Qiu, Yuanyuan will only be fourteen after the New Year, why are you in such a hurry?"

Qiu Liang didn't care at all: "If you've taken a liking to it, let's settle on it first. I'll help you raise it for a few more years. We martial artists have long lifespans, so what if there's a difference of ten or so years?"

Ma Shang echoed, laughing, "Yes, yes, yes, it's time for you to arrange a marriage. You should go first to meet the legitimate daughters of each family. Only after you're done will it be the turn of the other young men. The calf from the Niu family is last in line. I don't know where the Niu family got this problem from, but they've always preferred married women."

"Hahaha."

Afterwards, everyone in the main hall chatted about their respective training matters, and then dispersed shortly afterward.

After seeing everyone off, Jia Tang returned to the main hall and sat down in front of Jia Zhen.

Jia Tang took a sip of tea, carefully examined his elder brother beside him, and pondered for a moment before asking, "Brother, what's the story behind Rong'er's marriage?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Zhen's face stiffened, and then his words became slightly angry: "What? Am I, as a father, not allowed to make decisions for my son?"

"Snapped!"

Jia Tang slammed down his teacup, stared directly into Jia Zhen's eyes, and asked in a cold voice, "Don't interrupt. What I mean is, why the rush? Besides, how can a mere adopted daughter of a minor official in the Ministry of Works be considered the fifth-generation wife of the Duke of Ningguo's family? Has this niece-in-law's identity been thoroughly investigated? And what is your reason for insisting that Jia Kang reduce his duties in the mansion?"

Jia Zhen was startled. Avoiding Jia Tang's menacing gaze, he shrank back and said sheepishly, "It's been investigated, it's been investigated."